The 12 Most Beautiful Art Deco Cars Ever Made

12 of the Most BeautIful Art Deco Cars Ever Built!

The 1930s and 40s were a fascinating time for the automotive industry. The art deco movement provided people with an escape from the seemingly endless trouble that the world was dealing with. The exquisite, coach-built vehicles you’ll see below exude flamboyance, flair and sheer beauty. It is now 80 years later, and the cars inspired by the art deco movement are still, easily among the most coveted cars in the world. Here are 12 stunning automotive masterpieces from the art deco era:

1. 1939 Lancia Astura Series 4 Pininfarina Cabriolet

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The Astura model, pictured in Pininfarina Cabriolet guise above, was the Lancia marque’s signature luxury car in the pre-WWII era. It was named after a site often visited by ancient Roman aristocracy, and received coachwork (custom bodywork) from a range of Italy’s finest builders, namely Pininfarina, Boneschi, Castagna, Stabilimenti, and Touring. Famous Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, used a Touring coupe variant of the car as official government transportation, adding to the model’s mystique. Between 1931 and 1939, about 1,900 cars were built.

2. 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantique

This Bugatti is one of only four Atlantiques ever built, and only three of these remain in existence today. It can now be found in the US’ Peterson Auto Museum, and is estimated to be worth over $30 million. This car is also the prototype, meaning that it was the first car produced. The second one ever built disappeared at some point during WWII, and is believed to have been scrapped. The third was involved in an accident and was rebuilt after 1977. It has a different Figoni body compared to the other cars. The last 57SC Atlantique built is owned by fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and is one of the most coveted cars in the world. That incredible vehicle is estimated to be worth $40 million. A few features that make this model special are its stunning lines, supercharged engine and magnesium body panels that were joined together using big, exposed rivets. One of the most special cars ever made? You’d better believe it!